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Fish Species at Lake of the Woods

Species you'll have a great chance of catching while staying at Jeff's Ice-O-Miniums

After more than 25 years of running sleeper ice shack rental services, count on Jeff and company's experience to give you the best chance of a fun and successful trip. Access to the lake is very close to Jeff's home, so the shacks are usually quite close to the action.

Unlike much of the waters on Lake of the Woods, there is good structure where Jeff's Ice-O-Miniums houses are set into rotation. Like most ice fishing during the early season, the shacks start in shallower waters closer to shore. As the season progresses, the houses are rotated out toward deeper waters, following the walleye schools.

Most Popular

Walleye

The most popular species targeted at Jeff's Ice-O-Miniums sleepers on Lake of the Woods. During the daytime, action comes in waves and can be fast and furious.

Oftentimes, the bite will start on one side of the shack, and as the school moves through, each fisherman in line will start getting bites — so a house has a great chance of multiple catches at once. Great fun!
  • Gold coloring with a distinctive white patch on the bottom of the tail
  • Large, reflective eyes adapted for low-light feeding
  • Sharp teeth and spiny dorsal fin
  • Most popular gamefish on Lake of the Woods

Tip: Walleye schools move through in waves — stay patient and ready, because when it turns on, it turns on fast!

Often Caught with Walleye

Sauger

Sauger appear to team up and school with walleye, so you have a great chance of catching both species in the same session.
They are very similar in appearance to walleye. The easiest way to tell them apart: walleye tend to be a bit more gold in color, and the walleye has a white patch on the bottom of their tail. Sauger are great eating but typically don't get as large as walleye.

Tip: If you're catching sauger, walleye are likely nearby — keep fishing the same depth and presentation.

  • Very similar in appearance to walleye — look for the lack of a white tail tip
  • Slightly darker, less golden coloring than walleye
  • Schools with walleye — often caught on the same rig
  • Excellent table fare, though generally smaller than walleye
  • Long, torpedo-shaped body with green/olive coloring
  • Light-colored bean-shaped spots along sides
  • Duck-bill shaped mouth full of sharp teeth
  • Apex predator — aggressive and hard-fighting
Hard Fighter

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are definitely something you have a real chance of catching when ice fishing Lake of the Woods. If you hook into a northern, you will have a fight on your hands!

There are stories of northern pike that prowl just beneath the ice, waiting for fishermen to let small walleyes back down the hole for an easy meal. Bring along a tip-up and some chubs or sucker minnows to increase your chances.

Tip: Walleye schools move through in waves — stay patient and ready, because when it turns on, it turns on fast!

Bonus Species

Yellow Perch

Perch are a bonus species that you will more than likely get a sample of when fishing for walleye. They don't school with walleye but they do cruise the same neighborhoods and will hit the same lures and baits.
The bonus is that the limits for perch are higher, and they eat almost as well as walleye! A welcome surprise on any trip.

Tip: Don't toss that perch back! They hit the same jig as walleye and are delicious. Higher limits mean you can keep more for the table.

  • Yellow-gold body with 6–8 dark vertical bars
  • Orange-red pelvic and anal fins
  • Cruise the same water as walleye — caught on the same gear
  • Higher bag limits than walleye — great for a fish fry
  • A cisco/whitefish relative native to Lake of the Woods
  • Schools move through periodically — an exciting bonus catch
  • Soft, delicate flesh well-suited to smoking
  • Catch them on the same walleye presentations
Occasional Bonus

Tulibee

Occasionally, a school of tulibee will move through during your stay. They're a special treat when they do show up.

If you happen to catch some tulibee, they are fabulous when soaked in brine and then smoked. A true Lake of the Woods delicacy!

Tip: If a tulibee school moves through, enjoy it — they're a rare treat. Brine and smoke them for an unforgettable meal.

"Smilies" at Jeff's

Eelpout

It is quite predictable that someone in your party will hook into an eelpout during your stay. They'll put up a spirited fight — spinning on their way up to the hole and tangling every line in sight.

Though not the prettiest fish, eelpout are an apex predator alongside northern pike and muskie. They've been growing in popularity and are considered very tasty — even called "freshwater cod." Please don't leave them on the ice!

Tip: Don't toss them! Eelpout (freshwater cod) are delicious. They've grown quite a following among LOW anglers who know how to cook them.

  • Burbot — a freshwater member of the cod family
  • Known as "Smilies" among Jeff's regulars
  • Spins on the way up — tangles all nearby lines!
  • Apex predator; increasingly popular table fish

Minnesota Fishing License Required

All anglers must have a valid Minnesota fishing license. Always check current Minnesota DNR regulations for size limits, bag limits, and special regulations for Lake of the Woods. Regulations can vary by season and species.

Ready to Chase These Species?

Reserve your sleeper shack at Jeff's and get on the fish. Slots fill early — don't miss out!

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